Community Practice for Community Change SOWK 4007 Community/ Macro Social Work Theory & Practice Session 6 Winter 2016

Educational Objectives and Learning Outcomes 2. Demonstrate knowledge of community change models and the applicability of those models to social work practice and the person and environment and generalist practice perspective. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of assessment and change strategies in macro practice systems. 6. Critically engage in self-reflection and examine one’s own practice skills with communities, including examining privilege and oppression in communities and organizations. Educational Objectives and Learning Outcomes http://siaaniweebly.weebly.com/acp-proposal.html https://elizabethkuhnke.wordpress.com/tag/understanding/ http://imgarcade.com/1/self-reflection-water/

-Announcements -Applying Models -Assessment: Entering Community Theory to Practice AGENDA http://playlor.com/characteristics-of-effective-teamwork/

Session Eight (No Class) Windshield Survey in the Field Process: How are you each feeling about community exploration in week 8? What are your plans? Check in with Kathy and discuss your intentional entry into community.

Theory to Practice Learning Collective, share… http://www.autismmind.com/Brain___Behavior_srk/Connecting_the_Dots_cnk/ Learning Collective, share… Your ideas about how theory links to models Which models resonate with you?

Learning Collective Tasks:. Research a specific change model and apply to example. Talk about issue and critically analyze model Teach model to class, issue and ask questions of the class. Presentation should include: Sharing real life example Theoretical lens Practice Model Application of practice model to the current issue Critical analysis Locality Community Development – La Maritosa Online neighborhood. Social Planning – Marijuana task force Social Action – 1 Billion Rising Transformative – Idle No More

Getting your Ducks in a row Real life examples

Assessment: Entering Community Create a map of the community to visually represent observed patterns Complete community inventory: businesses, parks, churches, facilities, overall condition of infrastructure Power analysis – Document Power & Influence Map community assets Talents & skills Community volunteer groups & networks Government & Non-government organizations Physical assets Economic assets Stories

Applying Models In your groups, discuss how the various models fit with your assessment Each member should share information gained from the online work Complete the “Models for Community Change” and give one to Kathy Learning Groups

Appendix – Community Practice Models Characteristics Advantages/ Disadvantages Requirements

Characteristics of Social Planning Emphasizes a technical process of problem solving Presupposes that change in a complex environment requires experts and people with power to guide a complex change process Change is deliberate and planned Main concern and outcome is developing programs and delivering services

Social Planning Advantages Disadvantages Allows for in-depth analysis of complicated problems Takes a systems view Can help avoid duplication Can involve a wide range of expertise and perspectives Tends to privilege those in power Can take a long time; can be used as a stalling technique by those in power Can result in a lengthy “report”or set of recommendations that are not implemented – “on the shelf”

What does social planning require? An action system- organizations and invested stakeholders coming together in a task force, committee, coalition Access to data and research Ability to conceptualize, assess needs and prioritize into strategic issues Task group facilitation and knowledge Relationship and political skills

Characteristics of Community/ Locality Development Focus on geographic communities; local definition is important Includes a broad range of people All community groups welcome “the more the merrier” Also can focus on population groups Promotes empowerment, cooperation and consensus Leadership shared with citizens and those with appointed power Relationship oriented

Community Development Advantages Disadvantages Can lead to long term change, especially if new community values are embraced Builds local leadership Brings diverse groups and can foster alliances across groups Funding for small innovative projects can be found Change process is slow May not address structural change Relies on common purpose and values which may lead to watered down action Dependent on long term and consistent leadership

What does Community Development require? Creating a group that represents the community Identifying natural leaders Gaining entry and trust Ability to teach others, train, facilitate Good meeting skills

Social Action Based on power and conflict theory and social movement theory Mobilizing people to take action and gain power for those who are oppressed and lacking power Includes local, national and international movements Can focus on either geographic communities or communities of interest Issues identified by self interest of those involved Conflict and struggle often present

What does Social Action require? Grassroots neighborhood/ city based organizing Issue based mobilization Advocacy based organizing: combines legislative policy work with community based constituencies National social movements and advocacy

Social Action Exciting, empowers Involves people Advantages Disadvantages Difficult to maintain momentum Difficult to build an organization Tends to polarize Appeals to self-interest Funding is difficult Can limit the use of other approaches Exciting, empowers Involves people Issues are concrete and real Respects people’s dignity and self-determination Can get quick results Emotional, non intellectual

Characteristics of Transformative Model/ Requirements Self awareness and critical consciousness promoted Individuals come to understand how their life experiences are shaped by political, economic and social structures

Transformative Hopes for long term value and culture change Advantages Disadvantages Hopes for long term value and culture change Combines individual and community change Promotes culturally appropriate interventions Slow change process Sometimes stalls at individual change Has worked better in non U.S. counties